Executive Director, Colorado Legal Services

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Job location
1905 Sherman Street
Suite 400
Denver, CO 80203
United States
Organization information
Organization name: 
Colorado Legal Services
Street address: 
1905 Sherman Street, Suite 400
City: 
Denver
State: 
Colorado
ZIP: 
80203
Job type: 
Legal - Civil
Position Description: 

Colorado Legal Services (CLS) seeks an Executive Director to lead and advance the mission of this renowned statewide nonprofit civil legal aid organization. The mission of CLS is to provide meaningful access to high quality, civil legal services in the pursuit of justice for as many low-income persons and members of vulnerable populations throughout Colorado as possible. With an annual budget of approximately $13 million, CLS provides excellent legal service to as many as possible of the almost 1.4 million Coloradans who qualify financially for its services. Priority is given to those in greatest social and economic need. CLS serves the entirety of the 104,000-square-mile State of Colorado (the eighth largest state geographically in the country) through 13 regional offices. CLS currently has a staff of 150, including 80 attorneys and 55 paralegals, who are supported by administrative, financial, grant management and technology personnel. For a fuller description of Colorado Legal Services, the position, salary range and benefit information, and how to apply visit: www.coloradolegalservices.org.

Requirements: 

The successful candidate will demonstrate:
• Passion for the mission of providing meaningful access to high quality, civil legal services to low-income and vulnerable populations
• A JD and license to practice law, in good standing in Colorado, or eligibility for admission to the Colorado bar in a reasonable period of time
• Ability to inspire dedication by staff to excellence and to clients
• Commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in all program activities and client services and experience advancing DEI efforts within an organizational structure and with community partners
• Ability to represent, explain and advocate for support for civil legal services for low-income people
• Ability to read and understand financial statements and lead the budgeting process and deploy scarce resources for greatest impact
• Substantial experience in the following areas:
o The practice of law, public interest preferred
o Managing and supervising in a successful legal services organization, law firm, corporate law department, branch of a court system, relevant government agency or nonprofit
o Working collegially and effectively with a unionized workforce
• Enjoyment in meeting staff, funders, board members, clients and community leaders and establishing long term relationships
• Affinity for fundraising and establishing deep connections in the community
• Ability and willingness to travel throughout the CLS service area and beyond
• Experience understanding and navigating Legal Services Corporation regulations to maximize effective service to clients, strongly preferred
• Experience collaborating with other grassroots and nonprofit organizations that serve the client community
• Strong communication and public speaking skills
• Personal attributes of professionalism, integrity, hard work, respect, empathy, humor, agility, creativity and calmness

To apply: 

CLS is assisted in its search for an Executive Director by Patricia Pap, Consultant, Management Information Exchange, 105 Chauncy St., Fl 6, Ste 3, Boston, MA 02111, 508-737-4010, [email protected]. Materials should be submitted electronically to [email protected] in Microsoft Word or PDF format. Candidates with questions about the position, listed qualifications, or the search process are encouraged to contact her.

Notes: 
Equal Opportunity Employer CLS’s Equal Opportunity Policies assure the rights of all persons to work in, participate in, and receive the assistance and services provided by CLS without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, religion, religious preference, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, parental status, familial status, age, handicap, disability, military or veteran status, political affiliation, or any other consideration prohibited by law.
Salary range: 
$140,000 to $180,000 depending on experience
Submission deadline: 
Monday, November 28, 2022